Files
Abstract
Habitat and roost site selection of male eastern wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo sylvestris) were investigated on 2 southwestern Georgia sites of predominantly longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) and pine-hardwood foreststhe Joseph W. Jones Ecological Research Center and Silver Lake Wildlife Management Area. Males selected for mature forest habitat types, specifically mature pine habitats. Males also selected hardwood habitats within the study areas and mixed pine-hardwood habitats within their home ranges. They selected roosts in or near mature pine or hardwood habitats with a dense herbaceous understory, and avoided roosting near pine plantations, shrub/scrub habitat, and roadsthough they occasionally roosted in plantation pines. Maintaining mature pine, hardwood, and/or mixed stands will promote male turkey habitat and ensure the availability of roosts in the longleaf pine ecosystem, and though they are not selected for the most, pine plantations can also be used as roost sites.